Chattanooga releases video paying tribute to residents who have lost their lives to pandemic,

“These people are more than a number. They are friends, colleagues and loved ones, which is why we wanted to find a way to celebrate their lives and memories in a safe and lasting way.”

— CHATTANOOGA MAYOR ANDY BERKE

The city of Chattanooga has released a virtual memorial to honor Hamilton County residents who have died from COVID-19.

The Hamilton County COVID-19 Memory Project includes a video and website that is part of a nationwide COVID-19 memorial organized by the inaugural committee of President-elect Joe Biden.

The video created by local artists and faith leaders includes remarks from Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and an interfaith prayer. Also included is a tribute titled “Seat of Honor” that depicts a local front-line healthcare worker — who has spent the last 10 months caring for people in the COVID-19 intensive care unit — leaving her shift and visiting a tribute that honors the lives lost in 2020.

Community members can publicly share information about loved ones who died from COVID-19 on the website by visiting cha.city/ covidmemorial, which allows people to submit photos, stories and words of inspiration.

“It can be really hard to grasp what it means for our community when we lose more than 300 lives from this virus in less than a year,” Berke said in a news release. “These people are more than a number. They are friends, colleagues and loved ones, which is why we wanted to find a way to celebrate their lives and memories in a safe and lasting way.”

As of Tuesday, 325 people have died from the COVID-19 virus in the Hamilton County area. While the video references 280 Hamilton County deaths from March 25 to Dec. 31, 2020, the city said the website is for anyone who has lost a loved one to COVID-19 in the community.

Berke says in the video he is “grateful” for the growing availability of COVID-19 vaccines and that they will help the pandemic recede. In Hamilton County, vaccinations are being made by appointment for those 75 years old and up and for those unable to live on their own, or those who are first responders or health care workers.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked all states to begin vaccinating people age 65 and older, but not all have been able to begin doing so.